6. Should I go to the doctor or get an antibiotic?

You usually don't need a doctor or an antibiotic when you have a cold. Colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses.

But a cold can turn into a sinus infection. If your sinuses become blocked and cannot drain properly, you can develop inflammation and a bacterial infection. An ear infection may also result from a bout with a cold. Although sinus and ear infections can improve on their own, sometimes you need antibiotics to clear the bacterial infections from your body.

Symptoms of an ear infection include ear pain, fever, and/or a feeling of fullness in the ears.

Symptoms of a sinus infection include a runny or stuffy nose, facial pain, and pressure, and headache.